The Unseen Battle: 5 Shocking Revelations About Justin Baldoni And Blake Lively's Post-Movie Feud

The professional collaboration between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, which brought the highly-anticipated Colleen Hoover novel It Ends With Us to the big screen, has spectacularly unraveled into a complex and high-stakes legal feud. As of late 2025, the narrative has shifted completely from box office success and fan casting to a courtroom drama involving multimillion-dollar lawsuits and allegations of defamation and emotional distress.

The latest and most critical update in this saga involves the trial date for the legal skirmish, which has been officially postponed until May 2026. This ongoing battle, which pits the film's director/co-star against its lead actress, has become an unprecedented chapter in Hollywood history, casting a long shadow over the film’s success and revealing a shocking amount of alleged "behind-the-scenes" (BTS) drama.

The Comprehensive Biography and Profile of the Feuding Stars

The two central figures in this legal and cinematic drama are among the most recognized names in modern Hollywood, each with a successful career built on popular television and major film roles.

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Justin Baldoni: Actor, Director, and Entrepreneur

• Full Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
• Born: January 24, 1984 (Age 41 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Key Roles (Acting): Rafael Solano on The CW's Jane the Virgin (2014–2019), and Ryle Kincaid in It Ends With Us (2024).
• Key Roles (Directing/Producing): Director of Five Feet Apart (2019) and Clouds (2020). He also directed and co-starred in It Ends With Us.
• Other Ventures: Co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, a production company involved in the legal proceedings.

Blake Lively: Actress, Producer, and Lifestyle Mogul

• Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown (Professionally known as Blake Lively)
• Born: August 25, 1987 (Age 38 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Key Roles: Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl (2007–2012), The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005), The Town (2010), and The Age of Adaline (2015).
• Role in Controversy: Portrayed Lily Bloom and served as an executive producer on It Ends With Us.
• Personal Life: Married to actor Ryan Reynolds, with whom she shares four children.

The Lawsuit: Defamation, Emotional Distress, and a Trial Postponed to 2026

The professional relationship between Baldoni and Lively, which began with their commitment to adapting Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, soured dramatically following the film's production and release.

The core of the conflict lies in a series of lawsuits filed by both parties, with the most recent updates focusing on a major defamation case.

1. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios' Libel Suit

In a significant legal move, Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, filed a lawsuit against Blake Lively and The New York Times.

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The suit alleges libel and false reporting over an article published by the newspaper that reportedly detailed the alleged "BTS drama" on the set of It Ends With Us.

Baldoni and other plaintiffs, including publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, initially sought a staggering sum, with some reports citing figures up to $400 million, alleging that the article caused significant reputational damage.

2. Blake Lively’s Counterclaims

In response to the escalating legal action, Blake Lively reportedly filed her own claims against Baldoni.

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Her suit is said to be seeking damages for "mental pain and anguish, severe emotional distress, and lost wages," directly linking the distress to the working environment and the fallout from the film's production.

3. The Critical May 2026 Trial Date

The most current and relevant information for late 2025 is the official postponement of the trial.

Originally scheduled for March 2026, a judge has pushed the start date of the New York trial to May 18, 2026.

This delay ensures that the legal battle will continue to dominate headlines for months to come, extending the lifespan of the controversy well past the film's theatrical run.

The Alleged "BTS Drama" That Sparked the Fallout

The intensity of the lawsuits is a direct result of alleged tensions and controversies that swirled around the production of the It Ends With Us film, a project that was already under intense scrutiny from the novel’s massive fanbase.

The Fan Backlash and Casting Controversy

Even before the alleged on-set drama surfaced, the film faced significant public criticism.

Fans of Colleen Hoover’s book were vocal about the casting of both Lively (Lily Bloom) and Baldoni (Ryle Kincaid), arguing that the actors were too old to portray the characters as described in the source material.

The initial fan backlash set a controversial tone for the entire project, creating a high-pressure environment for the director and the cast.

Allegations of "Fat-Shaming" and Hostility

The most damaging claims to emerge from the "BTS drama" relate to allegations of inappropriate behavior on set.

Reports suggested that Lively allegedly faced "fat-shaming" from crew members or others involved in the production, which is rumored to be a central component of the emotional distress claims.

The leaked behind-the-scenes footage and subsequent social media activity, including reported Instagram unfollows, only fueled the public perception of a deep rift between the two stars.

The Unprecedented Impact on the *It Ends With Us* Legacy

Despite the overwhelming controversy, the It Ends With Us movie proved to be a bona fide box office hit, reportedly grossing over $110 million globally in its opening week alone.

However, the ongoing legal and personal feud has completely overshadowed the film's success, turning the narrative into one of professional betrayal and legal warfare.

A Director's Defense

Justin Baldoni has been vocal in his attempts to manage the public relations crisis, emphasizing his commitment to the project and his side of the story.

He has publicly discussed the difficulties of collaborating with Lively and balancing his roles as both director and actor, often suggesting he has nothing to hide regarding the on-set environment.

Lively's Focus on Future Projects

Amid the legal tussle, Blake Lively has continued to focus on her career, taking on new projects and maintaining a professional front.

Her actions suggest a strategy of moving forward professionally while allowing her legal team to handle the complex and drawn-out battle against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.

The final outcome of the May 2026 trial will determine the ultimate legal and financial consequences for both stars. It will also serve as a cautionary tale about the high-stakes environment of major book-to-screen adaptations and the complex dynamics between actors and directors in Hollywood. The public will be watching closely as the *It Ends With Us* saga moves from the cinema to the courtroom.